Bible: Romans 2:17-29

The Condemnation of the Jew

2:17Butifyoucallyourself a Jewandrelyon the law1andboastof your relationship toGod22:18andknowhis will3andapprovethe superior thingsbecause you receive instructionfromthe law,42:19andif you are convinced5that you yourselfarea guideto the blind, a lightto those who are indarkness,2:20an educatorofthe senseless, a teacherof little children, because you haveinthe lawthe essential featuresof knowledgeandof the truth–2:21therefore6you who teachsomeone else, do younotteachyourself? You who preachagainststealing, do you steal?2:22You who tellothers notto commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor7idols, do you rob temples?2:23Youwhoboastinthe lawdishonorGodbytransgressingthe law!2:24Forjust asit is written, “the nameof Godis being blasphemedamongthe Gentilesbecause ofyou.”8

2:25Forcircumcision9hasits valueifyou practicethe law, but10ifyoubreakthe law,11yourcircumcisionhas becomeuncircumcision.2:26Thereforeifthe uncircumcised manobeys12the righteous requirementsof the law, willnothisuncircumcisionbe regardedascircumcision?2:27Andwill not the physicallyuncircumcised man13who keepsthe lawjudgeyouwho, despite14 the written code15andcircumcision, transgressthe law?2:28Fora person isnota Jewwho is one outwardly, noris circumcisionsomething that is outwardinthe flesh,2:29butsomeone is a Jewwho is one inwardly, andcircumcisionis of the heart16bythe Spirit17andnotby the written code.18This person’s19 praiseis notfrompeoplebutfromGod.